The fourth game of pre-season for Manchester United is in the books. Taking place at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, where San Diego Waves of the NWSL reside and will become the home of the MLS expansion franchise San Diego FC.
The opponents were Real Betis of La Liga who despite a weak first-half performance did net first before losing what was their third preseason game.
Jadon Sancho
Manchester United lined up with a changed 11 to what started against Arsenal in the previous game where they lost 2-1. Only Amad, Wan-Bissaka, Rashford, Amass and Caemiro survived. Jadon Sancho initially caught the eye, a fantastic, composed finish under Betis keeper Rui Silva during the fourth minute was ruled offside; but suggests that the previous experiment of Sancho in a ‘false 9’ role is alive and well. This will likely be the plan if new signing Josh Zirkzee is not fit to replace Rasmus Hojlund for the first few games, as Sancho’s positional fluidity drifting into the right-wing whilst Amad played central was causing headaches for the Betis defenders.
Manchester United Player Jadon Sancho vs Real Betis
Amad Diallo
Amad was immense during the first half of this game, it makes you wonder how many points were lost in the 23/24 season whilst he sat on the bench only making nine cameo appearances in the Premier League. His dribbling was silky, gliding through the defence where the defender had to foul him for the penalty that led to United’s quick equaliser in the 18th minute.
As mentioned on the right flank he was causing major problems, however, it was not only Betis left-back Romain Perraud facing his talent as he dragged players toward him when he was more central. This ability strengthens his case to play a bigger role this season, whether centrally or on the right wing, which has been a big problem area for Manchester United recently.
Diallo’s finishing is also an aspect of his game not talked about often, during this game a great Harry Amass run down the left side of the pitch resulted in a cross that met Amad arriving on the edge of the box which he rifled home to give United the 2-1 lead in the 24th minute of play.
Manchester United Player Amad Diallo vs Real Betis
Harry Amass
The final spotlight I will be placing here is on left-back youth product Amass, he will not be credited with the assist for Amad’s stellar goal; however, watching the game the deflections can not be considered anything more than scrapes, as the minimal directional difference was made on his cross by opposing defenders.
Manchester United Player Harry Amass vs Real Betis
Outside of his creativity and great dribbling, in his 62 minutes of action he: made two challenges, three interceptions, and five ball recoveries whilst also winning 100% of his ground and aerial duels. For 17 years old I hold a lot of hope for his future and hope he plays consistent professional senior football in the coming season on loan.
Negatives of Manchester United
With any game where a team ships two goals, there will be downsides to the performance. United again looked uncomfortable receiving high balls into the box, whether that be corners which resulted in multiple free headers at the back post or high in-swinging crosses which resulted in Diego Llorente’s goal in the 61st minute. Granted, Will Fish and Johnny Evans made the brunt of these mistakes but this seems to stem from the training pitch as this has been an issue in league play.
The second string struggled against a stronger Betis playing very narrowly against their opposition’s wing-based tactics. Also attacking output struggled with the academy players on despite senior players like Antony, Mason Mount and Hannibal Mejbri joining them.
Manchester United Player Marcus Rashford vs Real Betis
Rashford’s departure in the 64th minute looked worrying as the star man limped off the field similar to Leny Yoro vs Arsenal. Hopefully, he does not have the same fate as the centre-back who has been ruled out for up to three months as a result of that injury. Antony followed Rashford in the 86th minute. This poses the question, are the players doing intense training sessions on tour which is spiking the level of injury being seen? Four potential injuries in lower levels of competitiveness is a worrying sign and reflect poorly on Erik Ten Hag who we know carries out high-intensity sessions.
Real Betis
Betis started the game not with an entire youth eleven but something more akin to a second-string cup side with some senior rotation options. This team did not cope with the energetic United team linking up through Sancho and Amad with their double-pivot midfield being overrun. Former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin also struggled against Marcus Rashford being dribbled past once and only succeeding in 25% of ground duels. 23-year-old winger Iker Losada’s goal in the 15th minute was due to poor goalkeeping by Tom Heaton who failed to clear a ball Harry Maguire would have dealt with, parrying it to former Spain u21 winger Rodri Sanchez who notched the assist.
Real Betis Player Rodri Sanchez vs Manchester United
In the second half, recognisable names like Nabil Fekir, William Carvalho, Marc Bartra and Youssouf Sabaly appeared changing the look of Betis who outplayed the youthful United however, they could not create a goal with this talent on the pitch. This is Betis’ second defeat in a row on tour with Liverpool beating them 1-0 on July 27, they will play Saudi big-spenders Al Ittihad in their next game.
